Hamas has turned down a proposal from Cairo for a short-term ceasefire and the release of four hostages, as reported by the U.S. State Department. The militant group is insisting on the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip as a prerequisite for any agreement, despite the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) having recently killed its leader, Yahya Sinwar.
The Egyptian proposal included an initial 48-hour ceasefire during which Hamas would prepare for the release of four Israeli hostages over ten days, categorized as humanitarian cases, while Israel would release about 100 Palestinian security prisoners. However, Hamas has stated it will only agree to a temporary deal that guarantees a longer-term resolution, which the Egyptian plan did not provide due to Israeli hesitance.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced pressure from far-right coalition partners to continue military operations in Gaza, explicitly stating he would not negotiate the end of the conflict for the remaining hostages. Despite Hamas’s rejection, ongoing discussions are being pursued, with diplomats indicating all options remain on the table.
As part of a new approach, Netanyahu has proposed offering “several million dollars” to the captors for each released hostage, along with guaranteed safe passage for them and their families. However, skepticism remains regarding Hamas’s willingness to accept any offers, as they continue to demand the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the region.
The situation remains tense, with ongoing efforts by mediators like Qatar and Egypt to bring the parties back to the negotiating table amidst accusations from hostage families that the government has undermined efforts for their release. Currently, 97 of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 are still believed to be in Gaza.